Technical Field

The present invention regards an insulated tarpaulin, used for covering a temporary protective shelter, and a method for producing the same. Background of the invention

Protective shelters are used all over the world for a series of different reasons, which range from temporary shelter for people that have been affected by natural disasters, to temporary structures on construction sites or even for halls in which different activities like football, soccer etc. can be practised. The reasons for using constructions like these are that they are easy and fast to erect and cheaper than a more permanent building and also fast and easy to take down again.

However, certain problems have arisen in regards to the use of such temporary constructions. These problems are connected to controlling the temperature and climate inside the structure.

Since most of these buildings are not insulated they are very exposed to temperature both in warm and cold climates. This makes them in fact not very comfortable for use in e.g. sub-zero conditions.

There have been several attempts to solve this problem. One of these solutions is using air trapped in compartments as insulation between two layers of skin.

Further there has been made attempts to solve the problem by using pockets between an inner and an outer skin that can be filled with insulation.

All these solutions have problems in regards to their solutions.

Norwegian patent NO 315752 gives a solution that makes it possible to fill insula- tion in pockets in situ which makes it easier to transport since it is possible to transport the skin and the insulation separately.

A problem with this solution is that these halls are usually very large and the skin is draped over a large framework. So putting in insulation in situ is not an easy task. Further it is not an advantage to have openings in the skin since moisture can get trapped between the layers.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention as stated in the set of claims is to solve the problems mentioned above.

The present invention presents a solution to insulating a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin consists of at least two layers of fabric which is joined together with insulation in between.

The solution is to attach the insulation to one layer of fabric for so to connect a second layer of fabric to the first. The two layers of fabric are thereafter sealed together and valves are installed to make it possible to deflate it in order to make transport easier.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a view of an example of an embodiment of the first layer of fabric.

Figure 2 is a view of an example of an embodiment of the second layer of fabric.

Figure 3 is an alternative view of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention as it looks fully mounted on the framework.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of how the insulation is placed on the first layer of fabric. On the first layer of fabric, 105, there are welded spacer ribs, 101, in the entire length of the cloth. These ribs, 101, can be of different shape and design depending on the method of conjunction. If the two layers of fabric are to be welded or glued together only one layer of fabric has the spacer ribs, 101. If they are to be joined in any other way both layers of fabric are equipped with spacer ribs, 101. Within the two rows of spacer ribs, 101, there are placed means, 102, for securing the insulation, 103, to the first layer of fabric, 105. In one preferred embodiment the means, 102, for securing the insulation, 103, to one layer of fabric consists of a pair of straps, 102, that goes thru, 104, the insulation, 103, and has e.g. Velcro attached to them so that they can hold the insulation, 103, in place.

The way of coupling the two straps, 102, together can also be made with buttons, glue or rope that can be tied together.

Further the insulation, 103, is placed on the inner liner in the first field between the ribs, 101. The insulation, 103, can be secured in many different ways. One of the preferred ways of securing it to the fabric is by making cuts in the insulation, 103, which it is possible to thread the straps, 102, thru and secure them to each other like a belt, 104. By using this method the insulation, 103, is prohibited from moving.

The means, 102, for securing the insulation, 103, to the first layer of fabric, 105, are spaced evenly throughout the first layer of fabric, 105. The spacing depends on the size of the insulation, not only the width and the length, but also the thickness. This assures that the insulation, 103, is held securely in place so it does not shift during transport or when the tarpaulin is mounted on the frame.

All kinds of insulation can be used, but the preferred insulation is made out of recy- cled plastic. The reason for this is in case of fire it melts and lets gasses out instead of keeping them inside the protective shelter, and this type of insulation doesn't absorb moisture.

In the embodiment presented in the figures the insulation is presented placed horizontally, but the insulation can just as well be placed vertically, diagonally or in different specially fitted shapes.

The method of joining the two layers of fabric together depends partly on which method is used for joining the ribs, 101 and 201, together. The ribs, 101 and 201, can be joined together either by use of a bonnet / eyelet, zipper or Velcro.

If the two layers of fabric are welded or glued together, the ribs, 101, are respec- tively, welded or glued to either of the two layers of fabric, 105 and 202. The next set of ribs on the two layers of fabric, 105 and 202, are fitted together similar to the first set of ribs, 101 and 201. Insulation is added in the second field in the same way as in the first field. This is continued until the installation of insulation and the joining of the two layers of fabric, 105 and 202, is finished. The end sealing is done when the openings at each end of the rib field is insulated. The sealing of the ends is performed with the same variety of methods as with the ribs.

Figure 2 is a view of the second layer of fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the second layer of fabric, 202, has spacer ribs, 201, connected to it. The spacer ribs, 201, are similar to the spacer ribs, 101, on the first layer of fabric and are connected using a bonnet / eyelet, zipper or Velcro. If the two layers of fabric are glued or welded together only the first layer of fabric has spacer ribs.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of another embodiment of the invention. Here the insulation runs the entire length and width of the two layers of fabric, which means that there is no need for the spacer ribs, 101 and 201, shown in figures 1 and 2.

The tarpaulin 302 illustrates one full length of the joined first and second layer of fabric. In this embodiment there are no spacer ribs due to the fact that the width and length of the insulation is equal to the width and length of the two layers of fabric. The insulation is fitted to the first layer of fabric in the same manner as earlier, with straps secured to the first layer of fabric which are threaded thru slits in the insulation.

Further the figure 3 shows an embodiment of how the different sections of tarpaulin are secured together. Here it can be seen that at each end of the tarpaulin it is connected a rod, 304, which can be placed in a groove in a beam which is either part of, or connected to the framework. To prevent a gap in the insulation between the different sections of tarpaulin there is mounted an extra layer of insulated tarpaulin, 303, over the joints 301, to make sure that the loss of heat between the sections as small as possible. Figure 4 show a cross section of an insulated tarpaulin, 401, composed of 2 layers of fabric, 404 and 405, with spacer ribs, 406, between, ready mounted. The ribs, 406, are present to ensure that the insulation, 407, is not pinched together so that it loses its insulating effect, and further to help keep the insulation in place between the layers of fabric, 404 and 405, so that it do not shift either during transport or during installation. The height of the ribs, 406, is adapted to fit the thickness of the insulation, 407. The distance between the ribs, 406, is adapted to fit the size and shape of the insulation, 407. The ribs, 406, are designed in pairs between the inner and outer layer of fabric, 404 and 405, so that they can be joined together after the insulation is put in. There can be various ways of joining them together: BONNETT / eyelet, zip- per, Velcro, welding or gluing.

In connection to the tarpaulin there is mounted a mantle or a skirt, 403, to hinder mud, dirt or water to enter the protective shelter from the outside. The mantle, or skirt, 403, is mounted to the tarpaulin, preferably by welding it on to the outer layer of fabric, 404. The skirts, 403, can e.g. be insulated with the same insulation thickness as the rest of the tarpaulin, 401, but are made up of only one row of insulation.

The sides that make out the entire tarpaulin are finally mounted together, preferably by welding them together, after the insulation is added in between.